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Soccer
Donald Trump changes his mind on policy targeting foreigners for World Cup
TL;DR
Donald Trump has reversed a policy that targeted foreigners from World Cup qualifying countries, which required ticket holders to pay a $15,000 bond. The State Department announced that citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia are now exempt from this requirement if they purchased tickets through FIFA.
Key points
- Donald Trump reversed a policy targeting foreigners for the World Cup
- The original policy required a $15,000 bond for ticket holders
- Citizens from five African countries are now exempt from this requirement
Mentioned in this story
Donald TrumpFIFAUnited States
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Dec 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; FIFA President Gianni Infantino and United States of America President Donald Trump speak to media as they arrive on the red carpet ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Mandatory Credit: Brian Snyder-Reuters via Imagn Images
United States President Donald Trump is walking back a policy regarding foreigners from countries that qualified for the World Cup. The policy in question was issued by the State Department last year for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues, and would have required ticket holders to pay as much as $15,000 to enter the U.S.
On Wednesday, however, the department announced that the Trump administration would be suspending the policy for foreigners from countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and have purchased tickets to a match.
Citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia are now exempt from having to pay the bond, so long as they have purchased their tickets through FIFA.
âThe United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history,â Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said, via the Associated Press. âWe are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets.â
Trump has previously spoken out about the World Cupâs high ticket prices, saying that he was the average cost for a ticket to the final was over $12,000.
âI did not know that number,â Trump said. âI would certainly like to be there, but I wouldnât pay it either, to be honest with you.â
The President even kept the possibility of his administration getting involved to help bring down the prices open.
âI havenât seen that, but I would have to take a look at it,â he said.
âIf people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump canât go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, itâs an amazing success,â he added. âI would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.â
Q&A
What was the original policy regarding foreigners for the World Cup?
The original policy required ticket holders from certain countries to pay a bond of up to $15,000 due to concerns about visa overstays and security issues.
Which countries are now exempt from the bond requirement for the World Cup?
Citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia are now exempt from the bond requirement if they purchased their tickets through FIFA.
Why did Donald Trump change the policy for World Cup ticket holders?
The policy change was made to suspend the bond requirement for foreigners from qualifying countries, likely to facilitate their attendance at the 2026 World Cup.
